Google offers London base for start-ups

Google is set to invest millions of pounds in the UK technology sector after taking over a building in "Silicon Roundabout" in east London in a move to support start-ups in the area.

The Californian search engine giant will today announce it has secured the lease to a seven-floor building in Old Street. After refurbishment, it will be opened next year.

The space will be offered to organisations supporting technology entrepreneurs, who will work with Google to provide a launchpad for London start-ups and developers.

Google will also provide training workshops, product demonstrations and talks for start-ups. This is the first initiative of its kind for Google anywhere in the world.

David Singleton, the engineering director at Google in the UK, said: "We announced our involvement in the Tech City project last year, and we've been working hard to make this vision a reality." He added: "East London is already home to hundreds of innovative British start-ups, and has huge potential for economic growth and new jobs."